We're helping you get to know some of the biggest disruptors in London food and drink, from the rogue chefs and the tastemakers to the trendsetters and the hospitality history redefiners. When it comes to hotel bars, London has plenty, but few have the design power and people power behind them quite like Silverleaf at the Pan Pacific. We asked their general manager, Liam Broom, what makes Silverleaf stand out from the hotel lobby bars of days gone by, and where is open at 2am for when they're done for the night.
Liam Broom, Silverleaf.
Tell us who you are and what you do.
I am Liam Broom – the General Manager of Silverleaf at Pan Pacific London. I have worked in high-volume cocktail bars for the last 15 years – including nearly 5 years at Callooh Callay in Shoreditch. My mantra is 'HIGH VOLUME / HIGH QUALITY' and this is reflected in what we’ve built at Silverleaf. I focus on training and development and make sure that all of my team are able to maintain a work-life balance. I want everyone who works for me to want to come to work every day.
Tell us more about Silverleaf, and why people should visit.
Silverleaf is a dynamic late night cocktail bar in East London. We’re not your traditional hotel bar – we play hip-hop and sling drinks. We’re truly passionate about the liquid, we dedicate over 40 hours a week to prep and R&D. We have a big passion for flavour, art and interior design – the interiors are done by Tom Dixon and we showcase a lot of artwork on our annually rotating menus.
If anyone is ordering a cocktail at Silverleaf, which one and why?
We have three signature cocktails on our menu which have been on our menu since opening. We think these showcase the ethos of the bar and brand, my personal favourite is the award-nominated pineapple | miso – an old-fashioned style cocktail made with Craigellachie 13yr Scotch, Angel’s Envy Bourbon, Brown Butter & a Pineapple Miso Caramel. It’s bittersweet yet salty and umami and subtly tropical – it’s a drink I’m really proud of.
Silverleaf. Photo by Julian Abrams.
If you’re heading anywhere after a shift at Silverleaf, where are you going and why?
Well, we close at 2am so by the time we leave there are only two options available to us – either A Bar With Shapes For A Name for cocktails and industry pals or Polo Bar – a 24-hour institution serving full English or (more likely for us) 5L of Camden hells in a beer tower.
What are your thoughts on the London cocktail bar scene at the moment?
It feels like it’s on the up after a challenging few years – it’s lovely to see so many new openings especially in my spiritual home – Soho. Dram, Three Sheets Soho and Royal Cocktail Exchange have all contributed to the rise of the West End.
Finally, if there’s one perfect cocktail; ingredient, which is it?
No such thing; however a lot of my cocktails do seem to feature caramel in some form.
More great bars in London.
